Pattern means for knitting machines



March 26, 1957 w. L. CLAUSER 2,786,343

PATTERN MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed July 5, 1955 INVENTOR. WALTER L. CLAqsEP.

% f/fkzidzz ATTORNEY PATTERN MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Walter L. Clauser, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Wildmau Jacquard (30., Norristown, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 5, 1955, Serial No. 519,840

7 Claims. (Cl. 66-50) This invention pertains to selector means for knitting machines, and more particularly, to novel selectors for use in pattern mechanism of the jacquard type.

it is a general object of the invention to devise selector means capable of more effective use in knitting machines of the type described and of finer gages.

A more specific object is that of providing improved selector means which shall be of less thickness than those members heretofore used and in which the pattern reading means and springs therefor shall be entirely contained within and of no greater thickness than the selector lever itself.

A further object is that of devising such means in which parts may be easily removed and reassembled and in which all parts are easily accessible for servicing.

A further object is that of providing selector means which contributes to longer pattern life, especially in finer gaged machines and wherein the action of the parts is very smooth and dependable.

Other objects will be apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

In circular knitters, especially those of multifeed type, pattern means is frequently employed and one form thereof known as a jacquard mechanism employs several units spaced about the machine, each of which comprises a drum, a flexible pattern strip and selectors, preferably one for each needle or other instrumentality. These patterns in endless or belt form have perforations punched therein in rows which align with slots in the drum and the pattern strip is advanced with the drum by sprocket teeth on the latter engaged in corresponding sprocket openings at the pattern edges. Selectors in the form of levers have spring pressed pins which either ride on the pattern surface or enter a perforation therein and thus read the pattern whereupon they convey its dictate to the needles, directly or through jacks in a manner well known to those conversant with this art. Examples of such mechanism according to the prior art and over which this is an improvement are evident in United States Patents 2,281,721 and 2,116,074.

While these devices previously used serve very well for the most part, they are definitely limited to machines of coarser gages and, if selection is to be provided for each needle, the gage becomes limited by the pattern selectors and pattern, a situation obviously to be avoided if possible. Selector levers having pins or other means for reading the pattern are spring pressed and the springs have heretofore been the limiting factor. They have been of coil type and have necessarily required more space than have the remaining parts of the selector levers. Complicated staggering of parts has been suggested, but, of course, leads to greater inventory and more complication with some sacrifice in accessibility.

According to the instant invention, a self-contained selector, that is, one with pin and spring included within the confines of the lever itself is provided for the first time. Thus the thickness of stock necessary to realize res atent O a suitably strong and rigid lever determines the number of such selectors which may be utilized per unit of space about the machine and these jacquard pattern units may then be successfully employed in machines of finer gages.

The pattern is perforated with elongated apertures instead of circular and in combination with a thin feeler of rectangular section make possible the added pattern per unit of width without incurring danger of the perforations tearing out.

The invention will be described in detail by reference to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a section through a part of a knitter and pattern unit to which the invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a drum, pattern and one selector.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a selector of preferred form.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part of the selector of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but with a side plate removed.

Now referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the invention is shown as applied to a knitting machine having a cylinder 10 base 11, needles 12, jacks 13 and a rotary cam ring and cam assembly generally indicated at 14. These parts are well known and need no further description. In some instances selectors in the form of levers are applied directly beneath each needle or jack, but here each jack 13 has acting thereon a lever 15 slotted as shown to pivot on a rod 16. There is a lever for each needle and jack and its end adjacent the cylinder extends into its respective jack slot while the opposite end turned up as at 17 underlies an end 18 of a selector lever 19. While not shown here for purposes of clarity, the ends 17 and 18 of these levers are guided in slots in a comb-like mem* ber so they are maintained in alignment and braced against the action of a cam acting upon them.

Selectors 19 are pivoted at a rod 20 and may swing and also slide in or out to positions in which a notch 21 at the end 18 will engage or fail to engage a selector cam 22 carried on bracket 23 depending from a stud I24 fixed in cam plate 25 and thus rotatable therewith.

A drum 26 having slots 27 is rotatable on shaft 28 held in a bracket 29 bolted to base 11. Actually each bracket 29 carries two drums, one at each side and thus two units comprising several selectors at each drum. The number of selectors depends upon the gage of the machine and the number of units spaced about the same.

Drum 26 is advanced a slot or groove at a time by a Geneva or other movement. It carries a paper or other flexible pattern strip 30, endless in form, and having a pattern incorporated therein in the form of perforations 31 which are spaced to align with the slots in the drum as the pattern is advanced by the drum, there being sprocket teeth 32 on the drum engaged with appropriate perforations at the pattern edges.

Selectors 19 are guided by other slotted guides or combs and are thus maintained aligned with their respective rows of perforations on the pattern. For reading the pattern each selector has a vertically disposed member 33, of slightly less thickness than the stock of the lever itself and of rectangular section. It has a reduced end 34 which is still of greater dimension along the extent of the lever than is its thickness. According to a preferred form of the invention the selector lever is formed with its inner or longer part 35 connected to a shorter tail piece 36 by long and short side pieces 37 and 38; The feeler member 33 is freely sildable in the slot formedbetween theplates and parts 35 and 36 and is urged toward the position of Figs. 4 and 5 by a spring 39 which is preferably a modified hairpin typev spring entirely con-' grease-s tained within the confines of the selector and between plates 37 and 38. 'These latter are spot welded to the selector parts and 36 but provision is made to insert .or remove the spring and feeler very easily and rapidly.

.The longer arm of the spring engagesa slot in the feeler While its looped end is secured in a curved end of a recessinthe lever 35. Plate 38 has a slot 40 .for the purpose of introducing the shorter arm of the spring. A

hole 41 in the lever permits a needle hook or other tool to be inserted to withdrw the spring. To assemble, the longer arm is pushed in through slot 4b and engaged in the notch in the feeler whereupon the shorter arm is flexed until it snaps into place through the same slot 40. Once in place it holds feeler 33 in assembled relationship and resiliently presses end 34 into contact with the pattern or through a perforation and into the underlying slot if it registers with a perforation. The spring cannot become displaced accidentally.

Bracket 29 is extended outwardly and carries a shield 42 and hooked bar 43, to the latter of which are attached springs 44 one for each selector. These springs connected to hooks 45 at the outer ends of the selectors pull them outwardly and downwardly so they bear against the pattern with the feeler ends 34 aligned with the stopping position of drum slots 27. Normally, some feelers enter the slot through perforations 31 and as the drum is advanced each step those selectors will be pushed inwardly. Cam 22 then engages notch 21 and forces the end 18 downwardly so that lever 15 is rocked on its pivot to lift its jack and needle.

Rocking the selector frees feeler end 34 from the pattern and as soon as the selector is released by cam 22, spring 44 pulls it outwardly to read the pattern at the next succeeding slot. In some instances cam 22 may assist in the return movement.

From the drawings and from this description it can be seen that the maximum thickness of selector comes at the plates which are spot welded to the lever and tail piece and that there are no lateral projections, rivet heads or other parts to prevent running the selectors practically in contact. The divergence of the levers 15 and of the selectors is such that the selectors can, when thus formed with the springs 39 enclosed, easily function in gages as fine as any with which it may be practical to use this form of selecting means. There is enough divergence at the outer ends so springs 44 are not too crowded, but in finer cuts, if desired, these hooks and springs may be staggered.

The flat, thin pattern feelers 34 are rounded at their ends to engage and rub over the pattern without damaging it, and the fact that the feelers are thin makes possible closer spacing of the rectangularperforations with a safe amount or pattern material between adjoining perforations. The patterns last longer and are not subject to being discarded after a short period of use due to one perforation tearing into another as has happened heretofore.

The feeler members have been designed to pass all the way through the selectors and extend slightly at the top. This is not absolutely necessary, but is preferred so that it may be seen at a glance which feelers enter perforations or if any fail to do so when they should.

'The short plate 33 is slotted at 46 to afford visual inspection during assembly. If needed, lint or dirt may be cleared by removing spring 39 and feeler 33, blowing out or otherwise cleaning the openings and then quickly reassembling the parts.

While one embodiment of the invention has been dis closed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope or" the claims. i I

I claim:

1. in a pattern mechanism for knitting machines which include a slotted drum and a pattern passed about said drum and having pattern perforations therein aligned with the slots in the drum, pivoted selectors having means for reading the pattern and transmitting indications therefrom, said reading means comprising members for entering pattern perforations and resilient means to urge said members toward the pattern and drum, said means comprisin a hairpin type spring.

2. in a pattern mechanism for knitting machines which includes a slotted drum and a pattern passed about said drum and having pattern perforations therein aligned with the slots in the drum, pivoted selectors of relatively thin strip material, a guideway in each said selector, cover plates at either side of said guideway, and a means movable in and projecting from said guideway for reading the pattern and transmitting indications therefrom, and resilient means for urging said reading means toward the pattern, and drum which comprises a spring enclosed within said selector so that the selector has its maximum thickness at the cover plates.

3. In a pattern mechanism for knitting machines which includes a slotted drum and a pattern passed about said drum and having pattern perforations therein aligned with the slots in the drum, pivoted selectors of relatively thin strip material, a guideway in each said selector, plates at each side thereof enclosing said guideway, and a flat member movable in and projecting from said guideway for reading the pattern and transmitting indications therefrom, a hairpin type spring retained in a recess in said pivoted. selector and confined between said plates and engaged with said member for urging it toward the pattern and drum, and a hooked projection at the outer end of said selector for the attachment of a return spring.

4. in a pattern mechanism for knitting machines which includes a slotted drum and a pattern passed about said drum and having pattern perforations therein aligned with the slots in the drum, pivoted selectors of relatively thin strip material, a guideway in each said selector, plates at each side thereof enclosing said guideway, and a fiat member movable in and projecting from said guideway for reading the pattern and transmitting indications therefrom, a hairpin type spring retained in a recess in said pivoted selector and confined between said plates and engaged with said member for urging it toward the pattern and drum, and openings in said selector and at least one plate to facilitate entry and removal of said spring.

5. In a pattern mechanism for knitting machines which includes a slotted drum and a pattern passed about said drum and having pattern perforations therein aligned with the slots in the drum, pivoted selectors having means for reading the pattern and transmitting indications therefrom, said reading means at each selector comprising a member for entering pattern perforations, a spring to urge said member toward the pattern drum and maintained under tension within a recess in the selector, and plates at least partially covering said member and spring at and adjacent the spring recess and member to retain the member and spring against unintended removal.

6. In a pattern mechanism for knitting machines which includes a slotted drum and a pattern passed about said drum and having pattern perforations therein aligned with slots in the drum, pivoted selectors having means for reading the pattern and transmitting indications therefrom which comprises thin members of rectangular section, hairpin type springs confined within the thickness of said selectors for pressing said pattern reading means into contact with the pattern, said pattern perforations also being rectangular in form.

7. In a pattern mechanism for knitting machines which includes a slotted drum and a pattern passed about said drum and having pattern perforations therein aligned with slots in the drum, pivoted selectors having means for reading the pattern and transmitting indications therefrom which comprises thin members of rectangular section, hairpin type springs confined within the thickness of said selectors for pressin said pattern reading means into contact with the pattern, said pattern perforations also being rectangular in form and a hooked projection at the outer end or" each selector for the attachment of a return spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ames Aug. 6, 1932' Leedham May 3, 1938 Huber Nov. 9, 1948 

